Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I have been trying to think of something profound and/or poetic to say about today. All I can think of is that we have been very, very blessed. Nick and his girlfriend were here this week to help us celebrate. Bubby walks on the water pretty much as far as his little sisters are concerned. He brought his Wii and the girls have had a wonderful time bowling with it. Bubby and Delaney each brought their laptops and this morning I found RaeAnne sharing in the fun of side-by-side gaming with her big brother! With Daddy websurfing on his laptop in the next chair...well let's just say that technology is alive and well here at our house!

As I worked yesterday and will now work the next three days, I opted to cook our "feast" as the girls call it just a little differently this year. We ordered our meal from our local supermarket. For less than what it would have cost for us to all go eat out, we had turkey, dressing, smashed tators w/gravy, cranberry relish, rolls, a broccoli/rice casserole and pumpkin pie. While it wasn't nearly as good as homemade, it was nice to basically heat and eat. The turkey was really good and made up for the so-so dressing. And we will be able to enjoy the leftovers for a couple of days. I even have grand ideas of using the turkey carcass to make some turkey noodle soup!

We have strayed from our traditions the last couple of years and we were anxious to get back into the tradition of putting the Christmas tree up as a family. For many years we would wait until Bubby was with us for Thanksgiving (usually after) to put up our Christmas tree as a group. I think the last time we actually did this was in Texas....we have been so bad! So once we had regained our senses after pigging out, we tore into the task! Okay....so we did fudge a little. We finally had to replace our Christmas tree a few years ago. We now have a pre-lit Christmas tree that is absolutely beautiful. It is already decorated with pine cones and has lights that can be all white or multicolored, continuous or alternating. We have many ornaments that we have collected over the years, but this tree is gorgeous without decorations!
We then took the traditional photos of our family in front of the tree. Here is a November 2003 photo and one from today. Just a few more darlings around the tree!!

The Big FIVE~~~O!!

Yes, it finally happened. I have become one half a century old! Hill.....what hill?? Most of the time I don't feel old, I do feel tired, exhausted and decrepid at times....but OLD? My biggest regret of life so far....the fact that I waited so long to have a husband and children! Of course, if I had started at a younger age, I would have never had the best family in the world!!

The girls had to wake me up early to wish me Happy Birthday and give me a handful of cards. I enjoyed receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my cousin in the afternoon and then my significant other and crew took me out to Red Lobster to eat! If I have to turn 50...this is the best way of doing it!!

My conjoined triplets

Three heads are better than one and with three brains working overtime....you can get into trouble much quicker!

Trick or Treat!!

I had to work today, but one of my co-workers came in early so I could go trick or treating with the girls this evening. The trick was on me! My co-worker forgot that she was going to come in for me today, so I was over an hour late! Daddy was a champ and with a little phone coaching managed to get all four costumes on. Last minute phone call from ZoraLin was, "Mommy, where are the pumpkins to put the candy in?" Well, since I was still at work I directed Daddy to get plastic bags! They met me outside the hospital and off we went to a nursing home not too far away. What a neat place!! In their grand room they had the residents, staff and some family members seated in a big circle. The kids then traveled around the circle with their bags open saying "Trick or treat." Mom and Dad went along prompting, "Now what do you say?" All the way!! In about 15 minutes the girls each had a bag full of about 5 pounds of candy!

Can you say "Sugar high?"!!! Kendalan and Jordis Li are princesses, RaeAnne a witch and ZoraLin was Mortica.

Our girls

Sweeter than Pumpkin pie!!!

Say cheese!

ZoraLin's remaining front tooth has been wiggled every which way but loose. Today after school, I convinced her to let me tie some string around the tooth. Then I was going to talk her into tying the string on the door and let nature take it's course. Getting the string on her tooth in the first place was no easy task. She didn't seem to think it was a good idea. She finally relented.


Once the string was around the tooth, she decided that her parents do not always have very bright ideas! She did not want to tie the string to any door and letting anyone else touch the string was out of the question. So, I was going to take the string back off. Well, she didn't seem to think that was a very good idea either! Even though I assured her that I have taken sutures out many times she did not want me to clip the string in her mouth. Okay....but we were getting ready to go run some errands. Guess we can leave the string in?!! She wasn't too fond of this idea either! After 20 plus minutes of trying to explain to her that the tooth either had to come out or she had to hold still so I could cut the string.....Daddy grabbed the string and with one mighty yank....the tooth was OUT!!

Unfortunately I did not have the video camera rolling. The look on her face was priceless as probably was the look on all our faces except for Daddy's. I had no idea that he would pull the string. In fact, he said he didn't know he would pull it, but he was tired of waiting for ZoraLin to make up her mind! The tooth fairy was somewhat guilty tonight and a bigger bonus was added!

It's Jordis Li Day!!

And for those of you who aren't in the know...that means it is the anniversary of our first Forever Family Day with Jordis Li. One year ago, ZoraLin, Jordis Li Meng AKA Jiang Meng and I were in China finalizing becoming a family! Gotcha Day was one year ago yesterday and they give us a 24 hour harmonious period to see if this is really the child we want. Duh?!!

It was very fitting that Jordis' Daddy and I went to the Social Security office today to show them that we have her Certificate of Citizenship. Now she will no longer be labeled as a resident alien. Our 12 month post placement report reached us today...so we are DONE with paperwork. We actually celebrated Jordis Day last weekend at the Pumpkin Patch as we knew school would keep us busy today.

Our girl has come a long way. She fits right in and it is hard to believe that only 365 days have passed since she joined our family. She loves to watch TV, play outside (if the weather is right!), eat just about everything and anything and she independently will come up to her Daddy or I several times a day just to give us a hug, kiss and say, "I love you." We love you too Sweetie!!